Status: Native
Synonyms:
None
Argemone pleiacantha subsp. pleiacantha has large white petals and many yellow stamens at the center of the flower. The leaves and stems are armed with spines and are grayish. The leaves are pinnately lobed more than half way to the midrib. The ovary is 4-6 carpellate, and it matures into a prickly 4-6 chambered capsule which splits open from above but only for about 1/4 of its length. The seeds disperse easily from the capsule if it is inverted. The pattern of ridges on the seed resembles netting or the pattern on a soccer ball.
Argemone pleiacantha subsp. pleiacantha, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, May 19, 2007
Argemone pleiacantha subsp. pleiacantha, full view, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, June 4, 2005
Argemone pleiacantha subsp. pleiacantha, looking down from above on prickly capsules which open from the apex, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., CBar Ranch Road, December 20, 2008
Argemone pleiacantha subsp. pleiacantha, 5x macro of "soccer ball" seeds, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., CBar Ranch Road, December 20, 2008
Argemone pleiacantha subsp. pleiacantha, partial floral dissection showing superior ovary, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, September 9, 2011
Argemone pleiacantha subsp. pleiacantha, growth habit and leaves, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, August 22, 2012
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